WHO & India Collaborate on Global Herbal Medicine Regulation
The Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), hosted the inaugural session of the WHO-International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (IRCH) Workshop in Ghaziabad, India, on August 8, 2025. The workshop focuses on strengthening the safety, regulation, efficacy, and intended use of herbal medicines globally.
During the opening session, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, emphasized India’s dedication to the scientific validation and worldwide acceptance of ayush systems – encompassing Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy. He underscored India’s active role in fostering international regulatory cooperation through the WHO-IRCH platform. https://www.ayush.gov.in/
The three-day workshop brings together senior representatives from WHO Member States, national regulatory authorities, academic institutions, research organizations, and the herbal medicine industry. Discussions will center on achieving regulatory convergence,ensuring quality assurance standards,and establishing the clinical relevance of herbal medicines within conventional healthcare systems.
This workshop is particularly timely given the increasing global demand for herbal medicines and the need for harmonized standards to ensure product quality and patient safety. The WHO’s work in this area is guided by its traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023, which aims to support countries in integrating traditional and complementary medicine into their health systems. https://www.who.int/traditional-complementary-integrative-medicine
The WHO-IRCH platform serves as a crucial mechanism for facilitating dialog and collaboration among regulatory bodies, promoting the exchange of best practices, and ultimately building confidence in the quality and safety of herbal medicines worldwide.
Keyword Analysis:
Primary Topic: International regulation of herbal medicines.
Primary keyword: Herbal Medicine Regulation
* Secondary Keywords: Ayush, WHO, Traditional Medicine, Regulatory Cooperation, Quality Assurance, Herbal Medicines, India, IRCH, Complementary Medicine, Phytomedicine.